Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,431 – 6,522

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

27 February 2016

Incident Codes

CS186 RS0691

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir Ezzor, Syria
Up to three civilians were killed in an airstrike on Mahimideh according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the US-led Coalition was responsible. Euphrates post named two fatalities including an unidentified victim. It said that Russia was responsible. However, Al Jazeera and Lebanon360 alleged this was a Coalition…

Summary

Published
27 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
1–3
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military, U.S.-led Coalition
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0694

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Eight civilians including one woman and three children died in Darat Izza, according to local sources. While most reports blame Russia, one alleges that the Assad regime was responsible. According to Al Jazeera, Russian shelling targeted a bakery. But LCCSY reported that the incident was carried out by the regime which shelled with rocket launchers.…

Summary

Published
27 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
8
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0692

Location

الليرامون, Liramon, Aleppo, Syria
According to the Violations Documentation Centre, four civilians including three women died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Liramon. The four victims were named by the VDC. No further details are currently available.  

Summary

Published
27 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
4
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

27 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0693

Location

حلب, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria
The Violations Documentation Center named a male nurse from Nawa in Dara’a as a victim in Aleppo – though did not specify exactly where he was killed. According to Syria2011, “the nurse Khalil Ibrahim Ghada’an al Jahmani was killed due to his wounds sustained when Russian planes targeted one of the hospitals in Aleppo yesterday.”  

Summary

Published
27 February 2016
Infrastructure
Healthcare
Civilians reported killed
1
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0686

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria
Nine civilians including three children and three women died in an airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible. Shaam News Network reported that “a family made up of three people was burnt to death  in the town of Darat Izza…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
9
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

26 February 2016

Incident Code

RS0687

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria
Seven to fifteen civilians including three children and two women were killed and ten more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources. The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled the residential houses in Kafr Hamra town in northern Aleppo suburbs which killed 7 individuals including…

Summary

Published
26 February 2016
Civilians reported killed
7–15
Civilians reported injured
10
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident